Thing 197

The blouse was quite easy to put together. It was interesting to see how my sewing knowledge has improved. In the past, if the directions called for a step I didn’t understand or see the point of I would just skip it. So I never understitched (didn’t know what it was) and I never trimmed seam allowances (didn’t see the point). Turns out the finished product looks more, well, finished, when you follow the directions.

My only major hitch was the zipper. I accidentally bought an invisible zipper and didn’t realize it until I was home. I had neither the time nor the inclination to head back to the Haagse Markt so I googled “inserting an invisible zipper” and plowed on ahead. Unfortunately, the very first step is to attach an invisible zipper foot to the sewing machine. I don’t have one.

Let me sum up the next hour of my life: Gaaaaah! I sewed the zipper in three times and it was still not lining up at the collar. On the fourth I got it respectable. Not perfect — you can see a thin line of the zipper — but respectable, and that’s all I was going for by that point.

But zipper issues aside, the end result was good and Esther loves it.

For the Netherlands-Mexico game this evening she embellished with an orange tutu and other orange paraphernalia. Needs more cowbell. Check.

Note: The game was the most stressful one yet. Tied in the 85th minute of the game, and won after the 90 minute mark. Our collective screams just about peeled off the wallpaper.

I’m also really glad I don’t have to clean up all the decorations yet. Here’s hoping they stay up until the 13th!

Cost of this Thing: €27.45 (Liberty doesn’t come cheap)
Cost of all Things to date: €263.44